“I appreciate that, Walsh.”
Gabe tossed some bills onto the bar and grabbed his black hat off the stool. “Shane, I’ll talk to you later. Daniel, hope to see you at the bachelor/bachelorette party.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” he answered. “Oh, Gabe, if you see my sister soon, tell her to stop dodging my calls and texts. I have a feeling you’re with her more than anyone lately.”
Gabe didn’t miss the narrowed gaze or the knowing tone. He smiled and couldn’t resist replying, “I’ll tell her tonight.”
“I don’t need to tell you to be careful with my sister.”
Blowing out a sigh, Gabe tapped his hat against the side of his leg. “You don’t need to tell me. I’m well aware of how raw her emotions are right now, but you also need to understand she’s stronger than people give her credit for.”
Turning away, Gabe whistled and headed for the exit. As he plopped his hat on his head, he heard Shane say something to Daniel, but couldn’t quite make it out. Gabe didn’t care. He wasn’t trying to be purposefully rude, but he also wasn’t going to have anyone, especially Chelsea’s brother, try to wedge his way into whatever it was they had going on.
Daniel had every right to worry about Chelsea because of the photos and the scandal. But Gabe also wanted the man to be aware that Chelsea was a strong woman and getting stronger every day.
The chatter about the scandalous photos had died down. Now, the town had shifted its focus to the breaking news about Dusty and figuring out what had motivated him to lash out at so many.
The questions swirled around the small town and were discussed everywhere from beauty salons to bar stools. Nobody really knew why Dusty Walsh had opted to make such poor life choices that had affected so many. Perhaps he was upset because he hadn’t been admitted into the TCC, or maybe he was jealous of so many new members. Maybe he was just a bitter, terminally ill man who wanted others to be miserable, as well. Nobody truly knew what had motivated him to be so evil and conniving.
Even Gabe didn’t have a clue. But now that Dusty was gone, the healing had begun and the town of Royal was getting back to normal. There was no greater way to celebrate than with Shane and Brandee’s Christmas wedding.
Gabe headed toward his loft downtown, but before his turnoff, he deci
ded to take a slight detour. He had a message to deliver, after all.
Nine
Chelsea glanced over her spreadsheet again. Hope filled her as she realized that this spring her dream would become a reality. She’d wanted to do something to give back and help struggling teens for so long, but had never really known how or what to do.
Smiling, she closed out her computer program. She couldn’t wait to get her counseling center for teens suffering from depression and suicidal tendencies up and running. And once the idea started to become more of a reality, she’d discuss partnering with Brandee and her camp for teens. Between the two of them, they could really do some good for a whole new generation. Nobody should ever have to feel isolated or hopeless the way she’d felt.
Chelsea had known that crippling fear and loneliness all too well. She’d experienced it twice in her life. The first time, after her father passed, Chelsea had had Daniel. But a brother wasn’t the same as a father and he’d been dealing with his own grief.
She’d experienced it again just months ago when so many in this town had seen photos of her in various states of nakedness in the TCC locker room.
When the compromising photos emerged, she’d gotten angry. She’d felt like she’d been stranded on a deserted island, that no one understood her.
Then she’d realized that there were people out there who had been hurt like her and that’s when she’d circled back to the idea of giving back and helping others. So, in a warped sort of way, the Maverick scandal had helped her come to the conclusion that it was time to step forward and reach out to others.
Chelsea wanted to open a place that would help young people realize that they weren’t alone, that there was always hope. She’d already started vetting counselors and had just purchased an old office building outside of town. Soon she would start renovations and then the true work would begin. Souls and lives would be changed.
This was her baby, something she was keeping close to her chest until she was ready to reveal everything. She wanted all the plans in place before she made a big announcement. Besides, she hadn’t wanted to detract attention from the wedding of the year.
The name of her new organization still eluded her. She’d racked her brain and still nothing came to mind. It needed to be meaningful, simple, something that would call out and make troubled people feel safe, comfortable. Everything hinged on the name: the reputation, the feel of the business, the marketing. There was so much to think about other than just helping those in need.
Chelsea came to her feet and stretched. She’d yet to change from her running gear after her evening jog. Several more ideas for the counseling center had come to her while she’d been out pounding the pavement and she’d rushed home to enter them in the computer. Now, it was time for a shower and to get ready for bed.
Chelsea loved her lacey bras and panties to be delicate and sexy and utterly feminine, and much of her sleepwear was the same. But tonight she just wanted her old cut-off shorts and her well-worn tank.
If she put on anything silky or lacy, she’d instantly think of Gabe and she needed to not go there.
She’d snuck out of his bed at promptly eighteen minutes after one the other morning, and hadn’t spoken to him since. He was long overdue to come charging back into her life. Someone like Gabe probably didn’t like the fact that she’d walked away without a word. She’d say that sex was his area of expertise and she couldn’t help but wonder if anyone had ever left him like that before.
Chelsea was surprised he hadn’t stopped by unannounced with some lame wedding question since then. But knowing Gabe, it was only a matter of time.
She quickly showered and pulled her hair back into a messy bun at the nape of her neck. This in-between length was driving her crazy. She either needed to cut it short or to let it grow. But right now she had so many other pressing matters, she couldn’t even make the time for an appointment.
With work at Hunt & Co., the wedding planning, her secret project, which wouldn’t be a secret much longer, and Gabriel Walsh consuming her mind every waking minute, was it any wonder she was exhausted?